WNBA Playoff Bracket 2024: Updated Picture After Caitlin Clark, Fever Lose to Sun
B/R
Caitlin Clark had one of the best, and certainly most impactful, rookie seasons in WNBA history. And yes, it can now be described in the past tense.
The Connecticut Sun ended the Indiana Fever’s season on Wednesday night, winning Game 2 of the first-round series between the teams, 87-81, and completing the sweep.
For the Sun, a matchup with either the Phoenix Mercury or Minnesota Lynx remains. For Clark and the Fever, a fantastic season has come to a close, though the future remains bright.
Wednesday’s Results
Sun def. Fever, 87-81
Lynx def. Mercury, 101-88
Upcoming Schedule
Semifinals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces at New York Liberty
Sunday, Sept. 29 (3 p.m. ET)
Game 1: Connecticut Sun at Minnesota Lynx
Sunday, Sept. 29 (8:30 p.m. ET)
Lynx def. Mercury, 101-88
After dropping 38 points in Game 1, Napheesa Collier tied the WNBA playoff record with 42 points on 14-of-20 shooting to lead Minnesota to a sweep over Phoenix.
WNBA @WNBANapheesa Collier was unstoppable in the Lynx’s Game 2 win over the Mercury!
42 PTS (ties postseason WNBA record)
5 REB
4 AST
70 FG%
Phee’s 80 PTS over her last 2 games are the most points over any 2-game stretch in WNBA Playoff history 🔥#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google pic.twitter.com/IMYs1MHKiO
Automatic @automaticnbaWNBA players with 40/4/4 in a playoff game:
– Maya Moore against the Mercury (Sept 27, 2015)
– Napheesa Collier against the Mercury (Sept 25, 2024) pic.twitter.com/1Kn71NcmTh
All five Minnesota starters scored in double figures. The team shot 50.7 percent from the field and forced 14 turnovers.
The difference in talent was too much for the Mercury to overcome. They came out of the gate strong with a 25-21 lead at the end of the first quarter.
It was the third quarter that proved to be the difference. The Lynx opened the second half with a two point lead before extending it to 76-64 at the end of the third period.
This loss could mark the end of Diana Taurasi’s legendary career. She received an ovation from the Minnesota crowd after fouling out late in the fourth quarter.
WNBA @WNBAA standing ovation for Diana Taurasi in the Target Center 👏 pic.twitter.com/JzQxpEbQYa
The Sporting News @sportingnewsIf tonight was Diana Taurasi’s last game, she leaves the game a LEGEND 🧡 pic.twitter.com/OrivgyKqtP
“I don’t know,” Taurasi said when asked about possibly retiring after a Sept. 17 game against the Los Angeles Sparks. “The last couple of weeks have been a little nerve-racking for myself. I don’t want to make any emotional, rash decisions. I know the end is near. When that is, I don’t know.”
A three-time WNBA MVP, Taurasi didn’t make any definitive statements about her future after Wednesday’s loss. She finished with 10 points and three assists in 30 minutes.
The win earned the Lynx their first postseason series victory since 2021. This marks their first appearance in the semifinals since 2020 when they were swept by the Seattle Storm.
Minnesota will host Connecticut in Game 1 of the semifinals on Sunday. The Sun went 2-1 against the Lynx in the regular season, with all three games decided by five points or less.
Sun def. Fever, 87-81
Clark did not go down without a fight, scoring a game-high 25 points to go along with nine assists and six rebounds.
WNBA @WNBACaitlin Clark connects from distance for her 2nd triple of the night 🗣️#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google pic.twitter.com/cKAMtiCQow
ESPN @espnThis Caitlin Clark dime 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bfVTDobCu1
WNBA @WNBAWhat a 2nd half start for the Fever 🔥
Caitlin Clark has scored or assisted on all 7 PTS in the 3Q to tie things up on ESPN!#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google pic.twitter.com/xlbyXC7HxX
The experience and depth of the Sun was too much to overcome, however, as all seven Connecticut players who appeared in the game scored eight or more points. Alyssa Thompson was fantastic, posting a 19-point, 13-assist double-double.
The charity stripe played a huge role in the contest as well, as the Sun hit 22 of their 23 free-throw attempts. The Fever were just 7-of-9 from the free-throw line.
The Fever raced out to an early 13-4 lead in the first quarter. But the Sun responded with a 13-1 lead to end the quarter and appeared to take control from there, leading by as many as 11 points early in the fourth quarter.
But the Fever fought back, pulling ahead on a Clark three-pointer with exactly four minutes remaining, and the two teams traded haymakers from there, setting up the fantastic finish.
ESPN @espnCAITLIN CLARK AND MARINA MABREY TRADE THREES LATE IN GAME 2 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Cj2YTaXDhz
The dagger came with about 46 seconds remaining, as a Marina Mabrey three put the Sun up by four. Kelsey Mitchell missed a three of her own on Indiana’s next possession, the Sun made all six free-throw attempts down the stretch, and Clark’s season came to a close.
Rachel Nichols @Rachel__NicholsMarina Mabrey is a stud. Hats off to the Sun, and what an incredible run for Caitlin Clark, who over the past six months set off a series of earthquakes that absolutely shook the sports world. The landscape is changing changing changing & it continues to be so much fun to watch.
Paul Pabst @PaulPabstThat’s one hell of a year for Clark.
Going back to early November….81 basketball games played…Iowa/WNBA.
It was a brilliant ride, and nothing but bigger things are expected. But the WNBA is a different beast, and the Fever aren’t among the league’s elite just yet.
